Audi reveals the all-new flagship A8 sedan

After a few teasers, Audi gave the public its first glimpse of the all-new A8 last month—sort of. It was dressed in a custom web-patterned camouflage at the Hollywood premiere of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Now, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker has revealed its latest flagship sans the livery.

The all-new predominantly aluminum A8 was revealed at the Audi Summit in Barcelona. Its new design language was previewed by the equally striking 2014 Audi Prologue Concept. Dominating the front is a lower, wider, more upright Singleframe grille flanked by slim headlights which feature optional HD Matrix LEDs with Audi laser light technology.

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Moving on to the sides, the new A8 features a low door-level character line which compliments the curved front fenders and rear haunches, making the big sedan look more athletic and muscular. Its roofline is now sleeker and more coupe-like, giving the car a sportier profile. At the rear, horizontal LED taillights linked by a thin full-width light provide a unique lighting signature.

Inside, its designers have brought the interior to a higher level of elegance and sophistication. The dashboard wraps around and blends into the doors. As expected, it comes with the brand’s fully digital virtual cockpit instrument cluster. It does away with the floating tablet-style screen, instead opting for a 10.1in touchscreen nicely integrated into the black gloss panel of the lower dashboard. A secondary screen on the center console controls other features like air-conditioning and comfort functions.

Ride and handling on the A8 has been improved thanks to optional dynamic all-wheel steering, sport differential, and an advanced air suspension. The Audi AI active suspension can adjust each wheel individually when the camera detects a bump on the road. It can also quickly raise one side of the car if it detects an approaching side collision. The AI also includes automated driving tech for nose-to-tail traffic up to 60kph, and driverless parking.

Two V6 engines will be available at launch: a 286hp 3.0-liter TDI oil burner and a 340hp 3.0-liter TFSI gasoline mill. It will be followed by two V8 powerplants, namely a 435hp 4.0-liter TDI and a 460hp 4.0-liter TFSI. A 576hp 6.0-liter W12 gasoline engine and an e-Tron plug-in hybrid with 449hp will later join the lineup. Quattro permanent all-wheel drive is now standard.

Just like its predecessor, it will be available as a standard length A8 and a 130mm longer A8 L. The all-new A8 will reach German showrooms later this year, with a starting price of €90,600 (P5.27 million). Expect sales in export markets to follow soon after.